Steve Harmon had a heart attack this summer. Thanks to the actions of his wife, two Pleasant Hill EMTs and a pre-Hospital RN, Harmon made it through.
Daniel Rainville, drainville@eveningsun.com

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EMT Kristy Fryman looks at a framed photo that her patient, Steve Harmon, gave to her as a present before a cardiac save commendation ceremony at the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Company Station, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018.(Photo: Harrison Jones, For The Evening Sun)Buy Photo

Under normal circumstances, Steve and Sandy Harmon of West Manheim Township probably would have never crossed paths with TJ and Kristy Fryman and Patricia Webb.

But after a near-tragic event on July 7 brought the five of them together, they have formed a bond and have become an unlikely extended family.

That day in July was pretty typical for Steve and Sandy.

They went to the gym, did some yard work and hit some golf balls.

Steve got home at about 4 p.m. and started to have severe back pain that ran down his arms.

"It just wasn't normal," he said.

Steve, his wife and two children were getting ready to go to dinner. About ten minutes later, he started sweating so badly his clothes became drenched.

At that point, both Steve and Sandy knew something was wrong.

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TJ and Kristy Fryman are married and both are emergency medical technicians for Pleasant Hill Fire Company. They typically don't ride in the same rig, but they happened to be working together on July 7.

TJ was a volunteer firefighter, and Kristy was a stay-at-home mom. Once their kids became school age about three years ago, Kristy decided to become an EMT, and TJ became one as well.

"We work well together in that type of environment, and it is something important for us to teach our kids to give back to the community," Kristy said.

On July 7, their kids were out of town so TJ volunteered to drive for Kristy that day, which doesn't happen too often.

A 911 call came in for chest pains at the Harmon's address and the Fryman's were dispatched, along with Patricia, a pre-hospital registered nurse with Hanover Hospital.

When TJ and Kristy arrived, they did their normal basic life support on Steve and called Patricia to set up in the ambulance so they could transport Steve to the hospital.

While Patricia was on her way to the Harmon's, she ran through scenarios in her head.

"Just because something is dispatched as one thing, that doesn't mean that's what will be there ... I try to anticipate what may happen," said Patricia, who has worked as a pre-hospital registered nurse since July 2017.

TJ and Kristy gave Steve four aspirin and decided to put him in the ambulance. As they were wheeling him out of his house on a gurney, Patricia arrived.

As Steve's family got into their car and waited for the ambulance to leave, he said to Patricia, "This isn't anything, it's probably my back."

Patricia did an electrocardiogram, which she sent right to the emergency room, and as she looked at it, Steve said he could tell something was wrong by the look on her face.

About a minute later he became very pale and said he didn't feel so good.

Flames shoot overtop of firefighters as they take part in a flashover simulator at the Hanover Area Fire & Rescue Clover Lane station, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Penn Township. Harrison Jones, For The Evening Sun

Flames shoot over top of firefighters as they take part in a flashover simulator at the Hanover Area Fire & Rescue Clover Lane station, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Penn Township. Harrison Jones, For The Evening Sun

A firefighter clears out burning material following a run of a flashover simulator at the Hanover Area Fire & Rescue Clover Lane station, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Penn Township. Harrison Jones, For The Evening Sun